I am encountering crashes on my laptop, mainly from Firefox. Also I get the blue screen which only displays for a few seconds before the laptop restarts. I've tried running scans with S&D and McAfee but they freeze up. Worried I may have "caught" something.

sheriff192 wrote:I am encountering crashes on my laptop, mainly from Firefox. Also I get the blue screen which only displays for a few seconds before the laptop restarts. I've tried running scans with S&D and McAfee but they freeze up. Worried I may have "caught" something.

I don't like these two lines, plus you are running Mcafee and Spybot together that can have issues with a)the anti phishing filter and b) the identity theft protection... Remove one of them, preferably McAfee and install the free Microsoft Security Essentials. Plus download Malwarebytes Antimalware - its free - install and update it, clear your system internet cache (I use CrapCleaner for this) and reboot into SAFE MODE. In SAFE MODE run Malwarebytes Antimalware, you may be surprised what it picks up...

I have been programming on computers since the ZX81.
I am an apprentice trained Electronics Engineer with qualifications to back it up.
I have been repairing computers since 1996.
Yet to some people I still know nothing...

I ran a scan with Malwarebytes Antimalware which picked up 1 suspect. This was a search engine which I removed that was within Internet Explorer 8.

I've removed the sweetIM toolbar from Firefox and the Real Player.

Webshots is disabled from connecting to the internet.

I'm still getting the blue screen which shows "Win 32 SysK" I'm wondering if it is related to a file called Win32K which is located C:Windows/System32

Spybot scanned with no problems found.

Thanks

Steve

IMO, in order to protect your PC from nasties it takes more than one utility or action on the users part.

CCleaner, Super AntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, FSecure Black Light, a good Anti Virus Utility, a good firewall, a locked down network, and a browser configured the right way, no risky browsing habits, will all be a good way to start.

“Respect cannot be learned, purchased or acquired - it can only be earned” It can take a lifetime to earn it and a second to lose it. "Pay It Forward"

That "sysk32" is listed as a threat.
Before extracting that nasty bot, turn off the 'restore' feature of the OS. Then do the cleaning process. After a few reboots and ensuring it is wiped out, then turn the 'restore' feature back on. Otherwise, all your work will be in vain!